Health Gateway Program  

At Tutu's House

“Exploring health information on the Internet"

 

P.O. Box 2655, Kamuela, HI 96743
Phone:(808)885-6777
FAX: (808) 885-4998
 
web address: http://www.tutushouse.org/maps.html

 

Oh My Aching Head!

Different kinds of headaches

Tension or muscle contraction headache

May be the result of stress or fatigue, but more than likely, it can be attributed to muscle tension in the shoulders or neck area, psychological issues, or depression.

Migraine headache

The very painful migraine is associated with changes in the size of the arteries inside and outside the brain, and can last for a few hours or even days. Migraine medications work effectively.

Sinus headache

When a sinus becomes infected or blocked, it can result in a headache. These headaches are often associated with allergies.

Rebound headache

Over-use of headache medications can cause a "rebound" into another headache. This is particularly true if your medication contains caffeine.

Hormone headache

Only women suffer from "hormone headache," but both men’s and women’s headaches can be prompted by hormones.

Cluster headache

The attacks come in groups and they come on very suddenly. Described as the most severe and intense of any headache type.

Hypertensive headache

The result of high blood pressure. It often hurts in the back of the head and is usually worse in the morning.

Organic headache

The result of an abnormality in the brain or skull. It can be caused by such things as tumors, infection, meningitis, head trauma or an aneurysm.

Some headaches are more than just a headache.

You should seek immediate medical attention if:

  • You have never had headaches before (particularly if you are over 50) and suddenly you do. Or you get a headache that is very intense or a totally new kind.
  • You are feeling weak, or are experiencing a numbness or a change in you hearing or sight.
  • Your headache is unrelenting, and none of the over-the-counter pain medications you have taken seem to relieve the pain.
  • Your memory, personality or cognitive abilities seem to be changing.
  • You have high blood pressure and headaches.
  • Your headaches is accompanied by a stiff neck, rash, nausea, vomiting, fever, breathing problems or a head injury. (Source: HMSA brochure)

Headache Resources on the Internet:

National Headache Foundation (http://www.headaches.org/) offers topic sheets for specific headache conditions, a list of educational materials for purchase, information about headache support groups, feature articles from their newsletter and general information about Foundation.

American Council for Headache Education (ACHE) (http://www.achenet.org/) is a national non-profit patient/physician partnership providing support for sufferers of chronic headache while working to educate the public about headaches.

HealthAtoZ (http://www.HealthAtoZ.com/), a comprehensive, well-integrated health and medical resource developed by health care professionals, aims to partner with consumers to manage their health better. Choose "headache" in the health topics AtoZ section.

Healthfinder (http://www.healthfinder.gov/), a free gateway to reliable consumer health and human services information developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, can lead you to selected online publications, clearinghouses, databases, web sites, and support and self-help groups, as well as the government agencies and not-for-profit organizations that produce reliable information for the public. Type in "headache" next to the "Search for:" box at the top of the web page.

Achoo Healthcare Online (http://achoo.8media.org/) objective is to coordinate the most comprehensive healthcare information site on the Internet.

We make every effort to provide accurate and complete database search results. However, it does not guarantee, warrant, or make any representation as to the accuracy, correctness, or completeness of the search results and the contents thereof.  Health Gateway/Friends of the Future assumes no liability arising out of or in any way related to the interpretation, use, or application of the database search results and the contents thereof.               A project of Friends of the Future, a Waimea based 501 (c )  3 non-profit organization